Darren Bent believes Aston Villa will benefit from a fresh approach after Paul Lambert's sacking and backed the club to stay up.
Manager Lambert was axed on Wednesday night with Villa third from bottom in the Premier League and winless in their last 10 games.
The striker and Lambert fell out at Villa and was loaned to Fulham and Brighton before he joined Derby on a season-long loan last month.
And the former England international believes a new manager would lift the club in their battle against the drop.
Bent said: "Aston Villa are a massive football club, a fantastic football club, and it is a shame where they are in the table. I'm sure whoever comes in will do a good job and get them out of there because they have good enough players for them to do that.
"There are some top, top players there who are maybe low on a bit of confidence but, on any given day, they can beat anyone, especially with the supporters there. With some big games coming up, I am sure the players will be able to turn it around and start looking in the right direction in the league table.
"I think maybe they just they need a fresh approach really. I don't know who they have got in mind to become their new manager but someone needs to go in there with a bit of freshness, mix things up a little bit, and just try something new.
"They are in a tough position. If someone comes in with fresh ideas, new tactics, it might just give the whole place a lift, including the supporters, the staff, everyone associated with the club."
Bent has scored four goals in just five substitute appearances for Derby in the Championship with the Rams third, a point behind leaders Middlesbrough.
He is unsure about whether he can be recalled by Villa now Lambert has left but is enjoying his spell with Steve McClaren's side.
"I'm not quite sure the details of the agreement but, for now, I am still a Derby player and we have got a big FA Cup game this weekend which I am concentrating on," he told talkSPORT.
"It is nice to be getting minutes under my belt. Me going back to Aston Villa is out of my hands, to be honest. I am a Derby County player at the moment and I am enjoying my time here -- it is nice to be playing."